Person of interest sought in Norman homicide case

NORMAN — Police still are searching for a person of interest in the shooting death of Patrick Burton, 51, whose body was found Wednesday inside his burning house.

Norman police say they are "persons of interest" in the shooting death Wednesday of Patrick Burton, whose body was found inside his burning house at 619 Villa Drive.

A man and a woman — whose names were not released — were taken into custody Friday night by Oklahoma County sheriff's deputies and Norman police. Neither has been formally charged, Norman police Capt. Tom Easley said.

Police released photographs of three men and one woman investigators say attempted to use credit cards belonging to Burton about five hours before his body was found.

The attempts were made at a business in the Norman area about 6 a.m. Wednesday, Easley said. Burton's body was found about 11 a.m. inside his burning house at 619 Villa Drive. He had been shot to death.

One of the three men was identified and is no longer being sought, Easley said.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call police at 321-1600 or 321-1444.

Police also are searching for Burton's pickup, which was missing from his home when his body was discovered. The white 2004 extended cab Chevrolet has the tag number 088 AXI. It has distinctive white, louvered taillight covers and white, louvered covers on the rear side windows.

At the time the truck went missing, it had a NASCAR license plate on the front bumper and a cowbell hanging from the rear bumper.

Firefighters were called to Burton's home when neighbors noticed smoke billowing from it. Burton's body had burns, but a medical examiner determined he died from a gunshot wound.

Burton lived at the home with his mother, who was out of state visiting relatives at the time of his death.

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A native of Oklahoma, Jane Glenn Cannon is an award-winning reporter who has covered everything from crime, courts and government to entertainment and features. She wrote a popular personal column for many years. She is a former associate writer...